The Government of Sikkim has extended the lockdown till August 1 in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state. The decision to extend the lockdown comes on the day when Sikkim reported the first COVID19 death.

Sikkim chief secretary SC Gupta on Sunday issued an order stating the extension of the lockdown.

The Sikkim government issued an order (No. 21/Home/2020) on July 20, 2020, and another order (No. 22/Home/2020) on the same day along with guidelines for enforcement of lockdown in the state till July 27, 2020.

"Now, therefore, after careful consideration of the situation, it has been decided to extend the period of lockdown till 01/08/2020 (6 AM) in the entire state," said the order issued by the state chief secretary on Sunday.

"The aforesaid guidelines shall continue to be applicable during this period," the chief secretary added.

 "A 74-year-old male from Rongli, East Sikkim passed away on Saturday morning, in the Covid-19 wing of STNM hospital," said a tweet from the official account of the Sikkim government's Information & Public Relations Department.

"He had comorbidities & was suffering from hypertension & diabetes," the tweet added.